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But in some ways, Wilco are still a fortunate band.
Case in point: The much-loved Chicago post-roots-rockers were at the Phoenix Thursday night before a sold out crowd of 1,000, ambling through what essentially amounted to an acid test for new disc Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.
It was an uneven set that, despite repeated flashes of brilliance, didn't reach full stride until its lengthy encore.
But such is the patience, or sheer dedication, of the typical Wilco fan that there was nary a peep of derision while singer-guitarist Jeff Tweedy and company moved from ramshackle, to reflective, to explosive over the course of 22 songs.
It was Yankee Hotel Foxtrot that led to Wilco's departure from Reprise Records -- the Warner-backed imprint deemed it unfit for release -- Wilco walked. The album is hardly unfit for consumption: Its coupling of intense electronic noise and acoustic song smarts is no weirder than major label releases by, say, The Flaming Lips or even Radiohead.
It has yet to see proper release, but is widely available for download on the Internet, where much of their live following has found it. ("Do you all have the new record?" Tweedy asked wryly at one point. "Have you downloaded it? Thank you.")
Now at a creative cross-roads after the departure of guitarist Jay Bennett and drummer Ken Coomer, Wilco 2001 seem a country mile removed from definitive alt-country thrill of 1997 breakthrough Being There. New drummer Glenn Kotche's feather-touch was alternately commanding and restrained, with touring keyboardist and guitarist Leroy Bach rounding off the edge created by Tweedy and original bassist John Stirratt.
Stand-out songs included YHF number I Am Trying To Break Your Heart, She's A Jar, the aptly-titled Shot In The Arm, and mid-set opus Ashes Of American Flags -- the latter taking on an eerie beauty in light of recent events, with Tweedy rasping, "I would like to salute the ashes of American flags, and all the fallen leaves filling up shopping bags" before tearing off a disjointed guitar climax.
Still, sing-along encore versions of Passenger Side, California Stars -- featuring guest-spot by Wilco's old touring guitarist, the Toronto-based Bob Egan -- and the rousing roots-rock holdovers Monday and Outta Site (Outta Mind) felt like a pay-off.